Broadcasters and video publishers refer to computers, televisions, and mobile phones as “the three screens”. There are a number of solutions offered which bridge computer and televisions, allowing the television to once again become the preferred medium for viewing content which may be computer-based. Now Broadcom is helping with bridging the gap between mobile phones and televisions thanks to Bluetooth technology.

New LG Electronics televisions have been integrated with Broadcom Bluetooth capabilities. This will allow Bluetooth-enabled phones to communicate with televisions wirelessly. Some applications include allowing the mobile phone to become a TV remote control or allowing a mobile phone to be used as a QWERTY keyboard input device.

More likely initial applications include being able to transfer audio and video media from a mobile phone to a television for viewing or listening. In this way, the television acts as a wireless docking station for mobile phones and portable media players. It also opens up other Bluetooth devices for use with the television including Bluetooth wireless stereo headphones.

Adding Bluetooth capabilities to mobile phones will drastically change the way we interact with our televisions. Media gateways, which bridge what is on a computer or the Internet, have already started to have an effect on what we watch on TV. Now Bluetooth will add a whole new medium bringing the mobile phone and other media players into the picture.

Now to be fair, this isn’t the first time the mobile phone and the television has been bridged. There are many mobile phones which offer the ability to connect with a television with wires to display photos or videos. Of course, how many times do people travel with cables for their mobile phone?

Bluetooth will offer additional freedom and functionality we have yet to utilize when it comes to televisions. It may also open up a whole new genre of Bluetooth-based accessories for the TV. Of course, the company that is at the beginning of offering Bluetooth support for televisions will no doubt benefit. That puts Broadcom in a nice spot to expand their Bluetooth business from beyond just mobile phones and other smaller electronics.